The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1887-06-05
LORD HARRINGTON.
AN AR1sToCRAT, A LIBERAL, Il TORY

AN IhISIOthdft ~ 1hoDhshbp N @NA'1'
His Evolution as n Ltbernl-Lender Of
the sition-Hts Revelation to Terry
i.m-lri. Parallel In tho Insect World
Will no Lead n New Tory Ministry
LONDON, Juno Al the rumor OF Lord
salisbury's contemplated retirementfrom pub
lie life should prove true and the Queen should
send once more for Lcsd Harrington to form
Cabinet II Is probable that he will not decline,
as he did soven years ngo. This presumption
is based upon obvious considerations. There
10 not Tory leader among tho aristocracy
capable OF holding together tho old stock and
tho new allies, tho Liberal Unionists Lord
Harrington could not be expected to serve sub
missively undor tho whimseys OF Lord Han
dolph Churchill. At tho Same time the
convictions which Lord Harrington held
in 1880 havo become 80 seriously i'm
paired that he is no longer considered
Liberal. He may with perfect propriety be-
come tho head Of Conservative Cabinet. His
transit from tho Liberal to the Tory party Is
almost completed His orbit for the rest OF his
natural life will be within Conservative re-
Cions In this he has only followed tho wake
OF moro than thirty aristocrats who were Lib
erals twenty-five years ago. before the legisla-
ton of Gladstone made inevitable the gradual
disesta bishment OF the landed caste. The ad-
herents OF Mr.. Gladstone to-day among the
peers are fow. Tho Marquis Of Ripon and Lord
Rosebery are tho principal figures.
But II is not in astronomy we must look for
the description OF Lord Harrington. In the
moral world no is splendid example OF the
anti-evolution hypothesis. 1t was the favor1te
contention OF the first disciples OF Wallace and
Darwin that tho evolution OF species could be
assumed proven by the notifications OF the
1natn nnI tn
altor Its plumuge II not its anatomy. The OPP
ponents OF the theory triumphantly pointed to
the fact that tho moment these artifcially
created conditions were removed and the pig
con was left to the influence OF nature 1t re-
verified to its original type While Lord Hart
ington was under the personal influence OF
Mr. Gladstone he underwent considerable
modification, For time he seemed to have
established that out Of Tory and aristocratic
embryo Liberal had actually been evolved.
Nor would 1t be generous to minimize the ef-
tects OF his example upon other aristocrats.
Many OF tho sons OF venerable stupidities
browsing their vinous evenings away at card
tables or in the House Of Lords followed the
example Of the heir Of the Duke OF Devonshire
md became active promoters OF progressive
thought in English politics. Lord Harrington
was not gifted for his ambition. He sought
political life with rs much eagerness as his
father had shown stiffness and arrogance In
keeping out OF 1t. Lord Harrington aspired to
craftsmanship as sincerely as Mr. Gladstone
himself Taking him for guide, philosopher,
and friend. Lord Harrington rose as rapidly as
circumstances could be shaped for his ascent.
When only 20 no was sent with Lord
Granville to Russia. At "a he was
brought into the House OF Commons.
and he has been there for thirty years. He was
pushed forward persistently by the Liberals,
and given every opportunity for becoming
political light; but his natural powers were
only mediocre. He was diligent in applying
himself to details Of business, and formed
good foundation for craftsmanship; but he
could not acquire fluency or ease or fire as a
speaker. He had to write evory line no pro-
posed to utter and his rigid and hating deiv-
cry never failed to annoy and weary the House.
He was given Office before no had learned how
to expound a principle Of party creed or defend
an act OF administration but his perseverance,
his rank his Liberal tendencies made him at
once desirable colleague for Ministers and an
influential converter OF arstocratic politicians.
TWAS during the temporary absence of Glad
stone In 1876 that Lord Harrington was COM
PEELED to force his faculties into higher service
than any they had proved equal to before then.
He was elected leader Of tho Opposition. and
while exercising the responsible and laborious
functions Of that post, necessity compelled him
to practise extemporaneous speaking. Neces-
eity was once more the mother Of invention.
He had to call his imagination to duty In place
OF his memory. and lie developed speak
ing capacity which only blind partisan
ship would now belttle. 1t Is under
stood that he still carefully prepares,
but no longer commits his rare but significant
T.. &l,, E, ell, 4
gangway as he can. He is accustomed to
punctual attendance. but likes to leave with
out attracting too much. observation. He sits
sullen, moody, and taciturn. His face Is long.
angular, and severe. The careless observer
would not find in its composed lines the rep
utation he enjoys as n man OF tho world 1t
was to recent memoir touching this that one
of the Irish members alluded when he defended
Parnell's silence by asking Lord Harrington
why he did not defend himself and another
from public accusations graver than any for
gerry had attempted to put upon Parnell.
Devonshlre House, In Piccadilly, facing the
Park. is one Of the great blots upon beautiful
section OF London. 1t occupies site as far
back from the thoroughfare as possible. as II
seeking to withdraw Itself and the grim and
grewsome legends 1t contains, from the public
sight. Its old stone Is grizzled and stained A
ways which puncture high solid wall. which
Haussman might have constructed to resist
a siege by street mobs The ediflce. with its
connected outbuildings and grim enclosure,
looks moro like neglected arsenal or diapi
dated barracks than like the ideal homo
OF the proud Cavendlsh stock, whose title
dates back nearly two hundred years. and
whose ancestral acres number 2OO,0 900. 900 Of
them being cultivated by rack-rented tenants
in Ireland. or all this the Marquis Of Hart
ington is the heir. The old Duke, now &c, years
Of age, will bedueath him also forty two church
lvings. II is smingly intimated by one OF
his cautious but acute critics that he will
acquaintances. As he Is not a pious man, he
may make them merchandise like the. Prince
of Wales, who is known to increase his purse
BY judclous barter of sacred bcnefices, we'll
known Jews being his favoritO agents for thus
putting Heaven in connection with authorized
dispensers Of Christian grace.
When the political companonship OF Glad:
stone was OF necessity withdrawn from Lord
Harrington, the pouter pigeon began speedily
70 resume It's old plumage and to return to
Il the characteristic condition Of Its species. 1t
Ill